Investigating Complaints About Food

The Food Safety Team takes complaints of unfit food very seriously and places a high priority on their prompt investigation. Imagine finding that the meat pie you have just purchased is mouldy, your chocolate bar contains a piece of glass or plastic, or you think that the meal you had last night at a local restaurant has made you feel ill.

If there appears to be a genuine problem with the food which may present a risk to health we will rigorously investigate the matter.

Our investigation usually involves inspecting the premises to identify the source of the contamination, with the aim of eliminating any future potential risks to health.

On some occassions reports of unfit food are unfounded or can be explained by reasons that do not indicate a significant breakdown in the food safety controls. These cases will normally be dealt with informally.

Where the complainant decides to take the matter up directly with the company involved, the food safety team cannot become involved. In addition to this, where the food safety team investigates a complaint, we cannot become involved with any compensation claims or good will gestures between the company and complainant.

If the product was made outside East Hampshire, the matter would be referred to the local authority responsible for inspecting the manufacturer's site.